Karen Pirie Season 2 aired on ITV with a compelling conclusion to the cold case mystery that had haunted investigators for decades. The second season of this acclaimed Scottish crime drama brought viewers a complex tale of family secrets, betrayal, and tragic consequences centered around the 1984 disappearance of heiress Catriona Grant and her young son Adam.
Karen Pirie Season 2 Ending Explained
The shocking finale revealed that Mary Grant shot and killed her own daughter, Catriona, in a tragic accident that occurred in 1984. The complex truth unfolded when Detective Inspector Karen Pirie discovered that
Catriona had orchestrated her own kidnapping with the help of her accomplices Mick, Andy, and Adam.
In the climactic scenes, Mary followed Catriona to a cave after sensing something suspicious was happening. Armed with a gamekeeper's shotgun, she confronted the group in the cave. Mary initially fired warning shots - the first to scare Mick, and the second to stop him when he fired back. However, in the confusion of the gunfight, Mary accidentally shot Catriona in the abdomen, and the cave subsequently collapsed on her daughter.
Broderick Grant, Catriona's father, attempted to take responsibility for the murder to protect his ex-wife Mary, but Karen exposed the truth through careful investigation. The revelation that the kidnapping was staged by Catriona herself added another layer of complexity to the already tragic circumstances. Mary had no idea that her daughter was dead until decades later when the case was reopened.
Karen Pirie Season 2 Release Date
The highly anticipated second season premiered on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at 8 p.m. The next two feature-length episodes are scheduled for July 27 and August 3, 2025. Internationally, BritBox streams the series in North America, with other regions following as per ITV Studios’ global distribution.
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Karen Pirie Season 2 Cast
The core cast returned for the second season, led by Lauren Lyle as the newly promoted Detective Inspector Karen Pirie.
The returning cast included:
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Lauren Lyle – DI Karen Pirie
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Chris Jenks – DC Jason ‘Mint’ Murray
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Zach Wyatt – DS Phil Parhatka
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Rakhee Thakrar – Bel Richmond
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Emer Kenny – River Wilde
New for Season 2
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James Cosmo – Sir Broderick Grant
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Frances Tomelty – Mary Grant
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Julia Brown – Catriona Grant (1984 timeline)
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Mark Rowley – Mick
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Conor Berry – Andy
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Stuart Campbell – Kevin
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Karen Pirie Locations
Karen Pirie Filming Locations
Season 2 filming continued in iconic and atmospheric places across Scotland:
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Core scenes shot in Fife and Edinburgh
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Kinghorn for the fish-and-chip-shop kidnapping
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Inverkeithing for abduction chases using vintage cars
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Luss Estate on Loch Lomond as the remote cottage setting
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The Citizen bar in Glasgow for modern-day character moments
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Wide Establishing shots of St Andrews, East Neuk, and Old Town Edinburgh
Where to Watch Karen Pirie
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United Kingdom: Viewers can stream Karen Pirie for free on ITVX or watch live on ITV1/STV with a valid TV licence.
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United States & Canada: BritBox exclusively streams the series in North America.
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Travel/Abroad: UK viewers travelling overseas may use a VPN set to the UK to access ITVX, noting geo-restrictions apply outside licensed regions.
Imae Credits: itvstudios/ Instagram
FAQs
What is the main plot of Karen Pirie Season 2?
The second season unravels a cold case from 1984 involving the disappearance of heiress Catriona Grant and her son Adam. The case reveals family secrets, betrayal, and a tragic accident that only comes to light decades later.
How does Season 2 end?
The finale reveals that Mary Grant accidentally shot and killed her daughter, Catriona, while trying to intervene in a staged kidnapping. The truth surfaces during Karen Pirie's investigation, bringing closure to the decades-old mystery.
When did Karen Pirie Season 2 air?
Season 2 began airing on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at 8 p.m. The two remaining feature-length episodes are set for July 27 and August 3, 2025.
